Excavator and conveyer



,2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \lFllll A TTORNE K March 31. 1925.

J. L. POTTER nxcAvA'ron AND convmma Filed Aug. 2 1924 J. L. POTTER EXCAYAIOR AND CONVEYER v March 31. 1925.

Filed Aug. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheat 2 Patented Mar. 31, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH L. POTTER, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

EXoAvA'ron AND CONVEYER.

Application filed August 25, 1924. Serial No. 733,948.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. Josnrz-r l1. Po'r'rnn, citizen of the United States residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Excavator and Conveyor, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to the type of apparatus that is designed for excavating progressively, especially for sewers, and conveying the earth or soil to one side of the excavation so as to be convenient for again filling in upon the masonry work or sewer pipes which may be laid in the excavation or trench, the invention having reference more particularly to an excavating machine hav ing a long arm to operate under trench braces and provided with a scraper or drag scoop.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified excavating and conveying machine which shall be capable of being operated rapidly and efficiently with the minimum attention and expense of attendants.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple and inexpensive apparatus which shall be so constructed as to be positive in action for diggin trenches while not hindering workmen during construction work in a trench behind the machine.

A further object is to provide an excavatin and conveying machine which shall be of such construction as to obviate the necessity for complicated machinery and cables,

which may be constructed largely of standard forms of merchant bar iron or steel and other readily obtainable mechanical parts,

I and which shall not be liable to derangement, to cause trouble or repairs, but shall be durable and economical in use.

With the above-mentioned and other. ob j ects in view, the invention consists in a mov-. able machine having essentially an operating scraper arm or reach arm that is projectible beyond the frame of the machine to draw earth from a trench up a slope and preferably onto a transverse conveyer embodied in the machine; and, the invention consists also further in the parts and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and further defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved machine constructed substantially in accordance with the invention, the scraper arin being shown by broken lines in different positions; Fi

2'is a top plan of the machine; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section andplan on an enla'rged scale approximately on the line 111 111 in Fig. 1; Fig." 4 is an end elevation of the machine on a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2, the upper portion of themachine frame being broken away; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section approximately' on the line V-V in Fig' 1 on anenlarged scale.

Similar reference characters in'the differ.- ent figures of the drawings indicate corresponding elements or features of construction herein referred to in detail.

In the drawings the numeral 1 indicates a section of the earth or ground in which an excavation 2 hasbeen begun, the machine being movably supported upon the ground, as by means of track rails 3 and 3 or any suitable substitute therefor.

The main frame of the machine may be variously constructed and adapted to be movable by any suitable means, and in some cases might be mounted on a caterpillar tractor,

the frame for directly, carryingthe excavatorrice. f

ing apparatus com )rising a base or platform i which preferably has two main sills 4: and 4 7', a top frame comprising side rails 8 and 8 and transverse rails 9 being preferably secured to the tops of the posts. In a simple construction, for the purpose of illustrating the invention, the frame is carried upon a pair of wheelslO and 11 and a similar pair 10 and 11 arranged to rollon the track rails. The base portion of the frame has a'projecting platform beyond the posts 5 and 5' composed preferably of sills 12 and 12 that are integral extensions of the sills 4: and 4: respectively, and a transverse sill 13.

A frame or means to support and-guide a scraper arm for longitudinal and pivotal movement, is provided and suitably arranged in the main frame and preferably comprises two long rails 14 and l i arranged in inclined position and adapted to constitute parallel track rails, being connected together by means of cross-bars 15 and 16 and-supported by means of rods or bolts 17, 18 and 19 connected thereto and to the several pairs of posts, each post having a plurality on which posts 5 and 5 are secured as a of holes therein to receive the rods and permitting changes of degree of inclination of the track rails, the rails being of sufficient length to project over and beyond the frame platform and downwardly approximately to the ground.

The invention includes essentially a long and straight scraper arm or reach arm adapted to operate on its supporting and guiding means for carrying and operating a suitable implement adapted for cutting a trench by the dragging or scraping method, the arm comprising side bars 21 and 21 and cross-bars 22 and 23 and such elements as may be desired. The cross-bar 28 as arranged being the higher end ofthe arm, boxings 24 and 24 are secured thereto and are connected-to an axle 25 mounted in flanged wheels 26 and 26 which are arranged to roll upon the side rails 14 and 14 respectively, pivotally and movably supporting the higher end of the arm. The arm is provided with a suitable number of pairs of rollers the rails 14 and 14 and permit the lower end of the arm to be swung upward from the rails. The lower end of the scraper arm is provided with a suitable scoop or scraper which may comprise a main or scraping member 28 secured to the arm and extending downward and having side cutting plates 29 and 291 secured to the side bars of the arm. The lower portion of the frame that supports the arm has a guide plate 30 thereon upon which the scraper may slide to drag the earth upwardly from an excavatiomthe plate having an apron or projection 31 adapted to extend slightly into a trench to receive the earth dragged therefrom, the apron preferably being con nected to the lower end of the arm by means of hinges 32. Preferably a chute plate 33 is connected to the upper end of the plate 30 and extends downwardly at an inclination. Clear space is provided beyond the upper end of the guide plate 30 through which to discharge the earth removed from the trench. I

The platform frame has lateral extension members and 34 to constitute with the sill 12 a suitable conveyor frame on which a transverse conveyor of suitable construction is mounted. A simple form of conveyer structure is shown as an example and comprises a driving roll 35 arranged upon the sill 12 and a guide roll 36 arranged upon the lateral extension, and a continuous web or conveyer belt 37 mounted on the rolls. In some cases the rolls may have sprocket wheels 38 and 38 with which a chain belt 39 may be connected. The shaft of the roll has a bevel gear wheel 40 secured thereto.

that is driven by a bevel gear wheel 41 rotatively mountedon a stand .42 carried by the conveyer frame. A suitable pulley or 2", 27, arranged to roll also upon sprocket wheel is secured to the shaft of i the wheel 41 whereby totransmit motion.

In practice a suitable hoisting engine or other power machine is to be mounted on the main frame of the machine, the power machine including suitable supports 44, 44, in which a shaft'45 is rotatively supported to wheel preferably has a drum 51 fixed therer to to which a cable 52 is secured, the cable being connected to the lower end of the arm that carries the scraper or scoop, so that the scoop may be lifted, the cable being arranged for drawing the arm upwardly on its guide frame. In some'cases the force of gravity may be depended upon for downward movement of the arm; Preferably the wheel 43 is driven by means of a suitable Wheel 53 secured to the engine shaft and a belt 54 connected "with the wheels, but obviously various means may be provided for operating the transverse conveyer.

In some cases the forcible movement down ward of the scraper arm may be preferable,

and other supports 55 and 55 may be pro-- vided on which a shaft 56 is mounted and rotated by a power device 57, the shaft having a drum 58 loose thereon to be clutched to the shaft when required. A shaft 59 is supported on the posts 5 and 5, or as may be desired and has a guide pulley or wheel 60 thereon which guides a cable 61 that is secured to the drum 58 and to the scraper arm, the connection being preferably .in proximity to the higher end of the arm. The arm could be directly supported on rollers mounted on the main frame.

In practical use the winding drums of the engine are to be clutched to their shafts, or released to run loose on the shafts, as customarily. The track frame which prac tically comprises a guiding part of the excavator arm to be adjusted as may be required, as to height and also inclination. The scraper may be drawn along a horizontal surface when required or may be drawn down a slope if necessary, being movable on the pivotal axle 25. Also, the scraper may be operated under transverse braces in trenches. As the scraping proceeds, a trench results and the earthy matter scraped therefrom is drawn up over the guide plate 30 and onto the transverse convey er which carries it over to one side of the line of the trench where it will be convenient for use in filling the trench after completion of the sewer work. Or, the reach-arm may be lifted to dump from a scoop. The main frame or car is to be moved along on the ground or tracks as the excavation work proceeds, as in common practice. The reach arm may tilt over the lower end of its guides into an uncommonly deep trench.

What is claimed as new is:

1. An excavator including a main frame having a plurality of pairs of uprightposts, a scraper arm arranged to operate between the posts of the pairs thereof and beyond the bottom and one end of the frame on an inclination, means supported by the posts and supporting and guiding the arm, and a scraper having a scraping plate and side cutting plates and secured to the lower portion of the arm.

2. An excavator including a movable main frame having a plurality of pairs of supports spaced apart, a reach arm arranged between the supports of the pairs thereof and provided with guiding devices mounted on the supports and guiding the arm throughout the length of the main frame to permit the arm to move on an inclination beyond the bottom and one end of the main frame and also pivotally either upwardly or downwardly, and a cutting scraper secured to the lower end portion of the arm.

3. An excavator including a movable main frame having straight inclined track rails supported thereon, each rail being longer than the frame, the lower portions of the rails projecting beyond .the frame and having a guide plate fired thereon, the plate being inclined, an arm provided with rollers movably supported upon the track rails, the arm being projectible downwardly beyond the main frame and provided on its lower end with an excavating instrument to be slidingly moved upwardly to and over the plate, and means connected to the arm for moving it upwardly on the track rails.

4.. An excavator having an adjustable track frame, means to adjustably support the frame to change the inclination thereof and permitting opposite ends of the frame to be raised and lowered, a scraper arm having rollers carried thereby and movable upon and also away from the track frame, means for movably and pivotally supporting the upper end of the scraper arm upon the track frame, a scraper secured to the lower end of the arm, and means having connection with the scraper arm adjacent to the scraper to forcibly move the arm upwardly upon the track frame and permitting pivotal movement of the arm.

A 5. An excavator and conveyer including a mo 'able main frame having a projecting platform on one end thereof, a transverse conveyer mounted on the platform, a track frame secured in inclined arrangement in the main frame and extending across the conveyer, a scraper arm supported upon the track frame fOr longitudinal and pivotal the winding-drum and to the lower portion of the scraper arm.

6. An excavator comprising a movable main fram having two parallel series of side posts, each post provided with an adjusting device supported for vertical adjustment on the post, a track frame inclined and arranged between the two series of posts supportedby all the adjusting devices and projecting beyond one end of the main frame, the lower portion of the track frame having a guide plate thereon, a scraper arm arranged to operate between the two series of posts and provided with rollers movable upon the top of the track frame, the rollers permitting the opposite ends of the arm to move away from the plane of the track frame, a scraper carried by the scraper arm to'be thereby moved over the guide plate, winding-drums mountedon the main frame, and cables connected to the Winding-drums and the scraper arm.

'7. In an eXcavator'a-nd conveyer, the combination of a straight reach arm, a scraper secured to one end of the arm for trenchscraping operations, a guiding support for,

the reach arm having a plurality of devices arranged on a common plane and supporting the arm for movement along the plane ofthe guiding support and pivotally upon the support to permit the scraper to operate higher and lower than the plane of the guiding support, a guide plate arranged to be traversed by the scraper, and'a conveyer arranged to receive from the end of the guide plate.

8. In an excavator and conveyor, the combination of an inclined vertically adjustable track frame, a long-reach scraper arm arranged above and projecting beyond.- the lower end of the track frame and provided with guiding means to movably and pivotally support the arm upon the frame, the arm being unrestrained from separation from the frame, an excavating implement carried y the scraper arm, operating means to forcibly move the scraper arm, and a movable conveyer arranged below the track frame.

9. In an excavator and conveyer, the combination with a winding-drum, of a longreach scraper arm provided with an inclined straight guide frame, the lower portion of the frame having a guide plate fixed thereon, guiding means connected with the arm to pivotally support the arm upon the top of the guide frame and permit longitudinal movement of the arm, rollers to removably support the arm upon the top of the guide frame, an excavating implement carried by the arm to be drawn slidingly onto and over the guide plate, a transverse oonveyer arranged to receive from the implement and the upper end of the guide plate, and a cable connected to the winding-drum and the lower portion of the scraper arm.

10. In an excavator, the combination of a movable main frame, a long-reach scraper arm arranged for longitudinal movements in the frame and having side bars, the arm being projectible at various angles beyond one end and the bot-tom of the main frame and provided with a cutting scraper on the projectible portion thereof, rollers having support in the main frame and movably supporting the side bars of the arm, the rollers permitting the angular projections of the arm, and means to move and control the scraper arm.

11. In an excavator, the combination of a main frame having two opposite upright side structures, a long-reach arm arranged between and projectible outwardly and downwardly from the side structures, two series of rollers supported by means of the side structures respectively and bodily supporting and solely guiding the arm thereupon to permit longitudinal. movements and also tilting movement and pivotal movement of the arm at different points in its longitudinal movements, and a scraper secured to one end portion of the arm.

12. In an excavator, the combination of a straight reach arm, a side-cutting scraper carried on one end of the arm, a guiding support for the reach arm having a plurality of devices arranged on a common plane and supporting the arm upon the top thereof for longitudinal and pivotal movements thereon to carry the scraper outwardly and downwardly beyond the guiding support for dragging the scraper over uneven ground, the arm being free onth e support to permit it to lift the scraper higher than the plane of the support, and a cable con nected to the reach arm arranged to drag the arm longitudinally and also to lift the scraper-carrying end of the arm.

13. In an excavator, the combination of a main frame having two opposite upright side structures provided each with a plurality of supporting devices spaced apart on an inclined plane, two series of rollers supported by means of the supporting devices, a reach arm solely supported and longitudinally guided by means of the rollers to be projected relatively different angles be yond the two side structures, a scraper secured to the reach arm, a winding-drum supported by the side structures to permit free movement of the arm, and a cable connected with the winding-drum and secured to the reach arm adjacent to the scraper to longitudinally move the arm at an inclination upwardly and to pivotally lift the arm on its angular projections.

14. In an excavator, a series of supporting and guiding devices arranged on a plane to constitute a plane guide, movable means to support the plane guide in different inclined positions, able upon the top of the plane guide and being tiltable on the lower end of'the guide, the arm being movable from the guide and permitted to be projected downwardly at relatively different angles beyond the lower end of the plane guide, a scraper having side cutting plates secured to the lower end of the reach arm, an operating cable for dragging the scraper secured to the reach arm, and means to guide the cable.

15. In an excavator, the combination of a main frame, means to movably support the frame having connection therewith, an excavating implement, a reach arm arranged mainly in the frame for longitudinal movements and having a working portion projecting outward from the frame, said working portion'having the excavating implement thereon, supporting means supported on a common plane by the frame and supporting and guiding the reach arm for longitudinal movement and also pivotally on the supporting means to permit the arm to carr T the excavating implement downwardly and upwardly beyond the main frame.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature on the 23rd day of August, 1924.

JOSEPH L. POTTER.

a reach arm longitudinallyv mov' 

